Neon goose mural marks university's 60th year

Acclaimed street artist David Speed spent 60 hours curating a mural for the University of Warwick's 60th anniversary.

Speed's mural of a three-metre high neon goose, named Temporary Home, was painted in honour of the university's most recognisable campus residents - the greylag geese.

Students arriving for welcome week were able to watch the animal be immortalised on the exterior of the Piazza building in bold colours.

Speed told BBC CWR that the mural was a collaboration between him and the students, adding: "I wanted the people to have ownership of it and use their ideas."

London-based Speed, known for his signature neon pink artworks, started painting the mural on Tuesday and completed the work on Thursday.

He returned to bring the mural to life after spending 60 hours on campus in the spring to spend time with students to find out what the university meant to them.

He said: "I asked 'what are your thoughts and feelings and what do you want to celebrate on the walls'?"

The university said the artwork brought together two campus icons - its much-loved geese and the "dramatic staircase" of the Faculty of Arts Building.

"I was training to be a teacher before I decided to become an artist and it was really lovely after 15, 16 years to be back working with young people again.

"I didn't want to just come in and create a piece of street art. I had sessions with students - it was a lot of brainstorming."

David Speed spent 60 hours on campus earlier this year, before returning on Tuesday to bring the mural to life

Beyond the campus, he also worked with local primary and secondary schools, creating artwork and sparking curiosity and confidence in young artists across Coventry.

Professor Jonothan Neelands, professor of creative education, said the mural highlighted "energy and moments of connection" to the campus.

He said: "The campus is also a temporary home for many of us – a place of welcome, togetherness and collaboration. David's pioneering artistry will spark other cultural innovations across the campus."

Speed added: "Most people who visit the campus will fly away some day, but it's my hope that this mural becomes a landmark and a memory from their time here, in their temporary home."